023 – January 2007

Glossary
of “Class“ related terms,
abbreviations and
acronyms
Acceptance Criteria Assess
The set of values or criteria which a design, To determine the degree of conformity of a design,
product, service or process is required to conform product, service, process, system or organisation
with in order to be accepted. with identified specifications, rules, standards or
other normative documents.
AIC Acceptance into Class
The process by which unclassed vessels – Audit
including vessels which are classed by a non-IACS A planned systematic and independent examination
member or associate – can gain classification from to determine that the activities relative to a process
an IACS member. Formal submission of plans and are documented, that these activities are actually
information for design appraisal will usually be performed in conformance with what is stated in
required in addition to a full survey. the documentation and that they are properly
recorded and such as to reach contemplated
Annual Survey objectives
see Periodic Surveys
CAP Condition Assessment Program
Appraisal Structural assessment program devised by the
A synonym for assessment, evaluation, verification classification societies ABS, LR and DNV.
and review sometimes also for approval.
Certificate
Approval A formal document attesting compliance of a
The examination and acceptance by the Society design, product, service or process with the
of documents, products, procedures, services and specified requirements.
other items related to classification and statutory
certification, verifying solely their compliance Certificate of Registry
with the relevant rules requirements, or other A document specifying the nation registry of the
applicable referentials. vessel.

Approved Type Certification

Product representative of continuous production Certification and auditing are recognised as a
to which it is granted permission for use based valuable approach to ensure reliable delivery of
upon a satisfactory appraisal. consistent products and services, while fostering

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continuous improvement. Certification is based Such a certificate does not imply, and should not be
on the adherence to international statutory rules. construed as an express warranty of safety, fitness for
A formal document attesting compliance of a purpose or seaworthiness of the ship. It is an attestation
design, product, service or process with the only that the vessel is in compliance with the standards
specified requirements. that have been developed and published by the society
issuing the classification certificate.
Class Notation As an independent, self-regulating body, a classification
Attestation that the relevant components and society has no commercial interests related to ship design,
materials have been certified in accordance with ship building, ship ownership, ship management, ship
the applicable rules of the classification Society maintenance or repairs, insurance or chartering.
for specific features In establishing its rules, each classification society may
draw upon the advice and review of members of the
Class Renewal/Special Survey industry who are considered experts in their field.
see Periodic Surveys
The class renewal surveys/special surveys include Classification is one element within a network of
extensive out-of-water examinations to verify maritime safety partners, the other role is statutory
that the structure, main and essential auxiliary certification.
machinery, systems and equipment of the ship
remain in a condition which satisfies the rules. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Seas (UNCLOS) is an umbrella convention concerned
Classification with many aspects of the sea and its uses, including
Classification means that a ship adheres to the the granting of registration of a ship by a State.
Society’s own Classification rules, in other words –
it is the appraisement of the level of compliance Once a ship is registered, the flag state has certain
to the rules set up by the class society. duties laid out in UNCLOS. In particular, under
This appraisement is represented by class marks Article 94, the flag state must “effectively exercise
and notations entered on a certificate and its jurisdiction and control in administrative,
periodically transcribed in the classification technical and social matters over ships flying its
society’s register. flag” and take “such measures for ships flying its
flag as are necessary to ensure safety at sea”.
Remark:
It is not compulsory by law that a ship owner has his International conventions have been agreed,
vessel built according to the rules of any classification setting out uniform standards to facilitate accep-
society, but in practice , the difficulty in securing tance of a ship registered in one country in the
satisfactory insurance rates for an un-classed vessel waters and ports of another and in the general
makes it a commercial obligation. furtherance of safety at sea and protection of the
environment. These standards are commonly
Classification Society referred to as “statutory” requirements. Broadly
A classification society is an organisation that they cover three distinct areas:
establishes and applies technical standards in
relation to the design, construction and survey of • aspects of the ship’s design and its structural
marine related facilities including ships and integrity
offshore structures. • accident prevention
• situation after an accident
These standards are issued by the classification
society as published rules. A vessel that has been Some or all of these may also be reproduced in
designed and built to the appropriate rules of a particular class society’s rules.
Society may apply for a certificate of classification
from that Society. The Society issues this certificate Remark: There is a trend towards a shift from classifica-
upon completion of relevant classification surveys. tion to certification societies.

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Classification Survey critical areas and provide the basis for through-life
A visual examination that normally consists of: maintenance.

• an overall examination of the items of survey Design Approval

• detailed checks of selected parts The process whereby permission is granted for
• witnessing tests, measurements and trials the design to be used for a stated purpose under
where applicable specific conditions. It comprises design appraisal
and validation, as applicable.
Condition of Class
see Recommendation DIN 50049 Certificates
see Mill Test Certificates
Conformity
Compliance of a design, product, process or DOC Document of Compliance
service with specific requirements. (ISM Code) Certificate provided by the
Administration stating that the Owner/
CSR Common Structural Rules Management complies with the ISM Code.
Three classification societies – ABS American
Bureau of Shipping, DNV Det Norske Veritas and Documentation
LR Lloyd’s Register have worked almost three The whole written data (including drawings,
years on a joint development of new rules for procedures, specifications, etc.) necessary to
tanker structure – the JTP Joint Tanker Project. describe a design, a process, a product or a
Another IACS group – called JBP Joint Bulker service.
Project – has worked on the development of new
rules for bulk carrier structure. When both projects EMSA
were presented the two sets of rules were not Established 2005 by DG TREN in the aftermath of
technically harmonised. the Erika disaster, this Agency provides technical
ABS, DNV and LR wanted to collect money from and scientific advice to the Commission in the
their partners in IACS for their tanker rules and field of maritime safety and prevention of pollution
IACS was facing enormous difficulties to settle the by ships via: the continuous process of evaluating
dispute. Finally IACS decided to have Common the effectiveness of the measures in place;
Structural Rules entering into force on 1 April providing assistance in updating and developing
2006, but they differ in some aspects with respect new legislation and monitoring its implementation.
to their technical approach to those that have
been developed for bulk carriers. Some of the key areas where the agency will
provide such assistance to the Commission are:
Design
All relevant plans, documents and calculations • strengthening the Port State Control PSC
describing the performance, installation and • assessing the Community-recognised
manufacturing of a product. classification societies and
• the establishment and management of a
Design Appraisal Community vessel traffic monitoring system
The verification and evaluation performed by a
competent organisation. In general, it includes the ESP Enhanced Survey Program
drawings approval and may include a type test The ESP applies to bulk carriers, tankers and
witnessed by an inspector. chemical tankers.
A design appraisal can also be an independent It has been reinforced by requiring Intermediate
review against the requirements of a code, standard Surveys with an extended scope, matching that
or specification. Design appraisals can help to of the preceding Special survey (including dry
streamline the design and construction process, docking or underwater survey, as applicable) for
improve safety and performance and identify ships exceeding 15 years of age.

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EN 10204 Certificates Flag of Necessity

see Mill Test Certificates see Flag of Convenience

ESP Enhanced Survey Program Flag State

Flag State refers to that authority under which
EurACS a country exercises regulatory control over
EurACs is the association representing the classifi- commercial vessels registered under its flag.
cation societies being members of IACS having This involves the inspection, certification, and
head offices in European countries. issuance of safety and pollution prevention
EurACS’ objective is to be the contact for the documents.
European Commission and the EU maritime
industries on research and development with the FSA Formal Safety Assessment
purpose of improving maritime safety and the Study of risks which should improve the design of
protection of the environment. ships, and also their actual maintenance.

EurACS has the chair of the strategic Planning Goal-based Principles

group of the MIF Maritime Industries Forum and • the goals should aim to ensure that a properly
of Waterborne TP. operated and maintained ship remains safe for
her whole life
Members of EurACS: BV, DNV, GL, LR, and RINA • the goals should be demonstrable, verifiable,
long-standing and flexible in order to
The question arises why PRS (Poland), HRS (Greece) encourage technology innovations
and CRS (Croatia) are excluded from EurACS. • the goals should be achieved either by
compliance with rules or by means of
Examination alternative solutions providing an equivalent
Assessment by a competent person to determine level of safety
compliance with requirements. • the rules developed and applied by shipyards
and classification societies should include
Final Test criteria to demonstrate and measure the
The whole of tests performed to accept a materi- achievement of goal-based standards.
al, product, equipment or plant.
GBS Goal-based Standards
FOC Flag of Convenience Goal-based standards in shipping were proposed
The registration of a ship in a State whose tax to IMO a number of years ago by the Bahamas and
on the profits of trading ships is low or whose Greece supported by other administrations as the
requirements concerning manning or maintenance basis for developing ship construction standards
are not stringent. Sometimes referred to as flag of that would permit innovation in design but ensure
necessity; denotes registration of vessels in foreign that ships were built in such a manner that, if
nations that offer favourable tax structures and properly maintained, they could remain safe for their
regulations; also the flag under the law of one economic life. Goal-based regulations do not set out
nation; it is not always required to establish the the means of achieving compliance, but set standards
home location in that country. which allow alternative ways of reaching the goal.
IMO will take over the detailed work but they will
Remark: state what has to be achieved. Class societies, ship
Some FOCs are tiny countries with a few thousands designers, naval architects, marine engineers and
inhabitants like St. Vincent & Grenadines, Cayman builders will retain the freedom to decide on how
Islands, Nauru, Marshall Islands, others are landlocked best to achieve those goals.
like Luxembourg. They are nearly always delegating their IACS has decided to move from unified requirements
obligations to ROs: classes, agencies ... to common classification rules for new buildings,

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focused as first priority on the hull scantlings of PRS was re-admitted subsequently as an associated
new double hull tankers and bulk carriers. member. RINA should have experienced at least
the same fate because of the Erika disaster, but
All goal-based standards are currently being discussed managed to remain a member of the association.
for hull structures, but they should be applicable IACS was given consultative status with IMO, in
for any part of a ship or system on board. 1969, with the first Permanent Representative
appointed in 1976.
Goal-based standards can be defined as a multi-tier It remains the only non-governmental organisation
approach, where the first tier represents general with observer status which is able to develop and
safety objectives, the second tier functional apply rules. The status of the standards developed
requirements applicable for each ship type and the by member societies was enshrined in the
third tier relevant goal based verification criteria. International Convention for the safety of Life at
Sea (SOLAS). A permanent Secretariat was formally
To put it in a more prosaic wording: established in London in 1992.
Goal-based standards will be aiming at moving
IACS Charter
• from mistrust to trust • to work towards the improvement of standards
• from a culture of compliance to a culture of of safety at sea and the prevention of pollution
benchmarking of the marine environment
• from prescriptive to functional /risk/ • to provide for communications and
goal-based standards co-operation with relevant international and
• from a complex to a more rational set of rules national organisations
and regulations • to co-operate closely with the marine industries
• from given solutions to goals that can be of the world
achieved by alternative designs, promoting
innovation of technology IACS Code of Ethics
Ugo Salerno, RINA It states, inter alia:
“Classification Societies live on their reputation.
IACS Acceptance of their work can only be maintained by
IACS can trace its origins back to the Load Line continuously proving integrity and competence” and
Convention of 1930 and its recommendations. “Competition between Societies shall be on the basis of
The convention recommended collaboration services (technical and field) rendered to the marine
between classification societies to secure “as industry but must not lead to compromises on safety of
much uniformity as possible in the application life and property at sea or to the lowering of technical
of the standards of strength upon which standards”
freeboard is based”.
IACS Members have been found to meet
IACS in its today structure was formed by seven Resolutions A.739(18) and A.789(19) by all of the
leading societies on 11 September 1968. Current Administrations (approximately 100) that are
members are ABS, BV, CCS, DNV, GL, KR, LR, NK, Parties of SOLAS.
RINA, and RS with three associated members –
Croatian Register of Shipping, Indian Register of IACS Initiatives
Shipping and Polish Register of Shipping. IACS • TOCA Transfer of Class Agreement
had expelled the Polish Register of Shipping in a • ESP reinforcing the Enhanced Survey Program
council decision that followed the loss of the bulk • Introduction of unified scantling standards, for
carrier Leader L in March 2000, citing “serious both bulk and oil tankers
managerial shortcomings” on the part of the PRS. • TOMS Transfer of Management Systems
This followed the temporary suspension of the procedures
PRS in 1997.

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IACS Membership ILLC International Load Line Certificates

Member status requires compliance with the follo- A certificate which gives details of a ship’s
wing minimum conditions: freeboard and states that the ship has been
surveyed and appropriate load lines have been
• 30 years as a classification society with own marked on her sides. These certificates are issued
rules primarily by classification societies and/or coast
• classed fleet of not less than 1500 ocean-going guards.
vessels (over 100gt) with an aggregate total of
not less than 8 million gt. IMO
• professional staff of 150 exclusive surveyors The International Maritime Organisation promotes
and 100 technical specialists all of whom cooperation among governments and the shipping
should be qualified and trained in accordance industry to improve maritime safety and to prevent
with IACS procedures marine pollution.
• possession of a valid IACS Quality System The purposes of IMO, as summarised by Article
Certificate of Conformity 1(a) of the Convention, are “to provide machinery
• Observance of the Code of Ethics for cooperation among Governments in the field
of governmental regulation and practices relating
IACS Policy to technical matters of all kinds affecting shipping
engaged in international trade; to encourage and
• to provide leading technical expertise facilitate the general adoption of the highest
• to communicate with the industry to practicable standards in matters concerning
• to share the lessons learnt maritime safety, efficiency of navigation and
• to be responsible for what IACS share of prevention and control of marine pollution from
responsibility is ships”. The organization is also empowered to
deal with administrative and legal matters related
IACS Working Parties, permanent to these purposes.

• Fire protection and safety IMO was established by means of a convention

• Subdivision, stability and load lines adopted under the auspices of the United Nations
• Strength in Geneva on 17 March 1948. It has more than
• Materials and welding 160 members and the European Commission has
• Survey, reporting and certification an observer status at the IMO. It proposed the
• Machinery adhesion of the EU to the International Maritime
• Electricity Organisation , in April 2002, to reinforce the
European contribution to the development of
ILO International Labour Organisation international policy on maritime safety.
Based in Geneva, ILO is one of the oldest
organisations of the UN system of specialised Inspection
Agencies and has been involved over the years Examination of a design, product, service or
in appraising and seeking to improve and process by an inspector in order to ascertain their
regulate conditions of seafarers. compliance with specified codes, standards or
specifications.
Major issues dealt with by ILO:
• employment of foreign seafarers Inspector
• application of minimum labour standards A person competent to perform inspections.
• crew accommodation
• medical examination and medical care Intermediate Surveys
• food and catering see Periodic Surveys and ESP
• officer’s competencies

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ISM Code shipping in territorial waters, and ports.

The International Safety Management Code was Closely linked to the Government sometimes
adopted in 1993. It became mandatory for operating the coast guard.
passenger vessels, oil tankers, chemical tankers,
bulk carriers, and high speed cargo ships of 500 Maritime Authority
gt or more. see Maritime Administration

Remark: MARPOL
Unfortunately the aim of the regulation had mainly been The International Convention for the Prevention
diverted from its initial purpose to become a clerical of Pollution of Ships, 1973, as modified by the
business opportunity of its own. Protocol of 1978.

ISP Code Usually known as MARPOL 73/78, this is a set of

The International Ship and Port Facility Code regulations aimed at preventing pollution by oil,
adopted by an IMO Conference in December chemicals, noxious substances, garbage and
2002. Intended to strengthen maritime security sewage water.
(Chapter XI-2 of SOLAS).
Materials
Load Lines Raw materials that will require further forming or
Commercial ships have a symbol called load line manufacturing before becoming a product.
painted on each side of the ship. This symbol, also
called Plimsoll line, marks the level to which the Material Test Certificates
ship can be safely loaded. see Mill Test Certificates

International Convention on Load Lines, 66/68 MED Marine Equipment Directive;

Wheelmark Directive
Maintenance Council Directive 96/98/EC as amended
It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure proper With the view to harmonise standards for the
maintenance of the ship until the next survey design, construction and acceptance procedure
required by the rules. for the items of equipment referred to in SOLAS
and MARPOL, the European union has developed
Marine Insurance with the help of the industry, classification
Covering loss and damage at sea. Marine insurance ocieties – Bureau Veritas in the forefront – and
typically delegates the owner of merchandise for the Member States, the Marine Equipment
losses sustained from fire, shipwreck, etc. but Directive MED.
excludes losses that can be recovered from the
carrier. The MED covers statutory equipment carried and
used on ships registered under the flags of the
Marine Product European Union Member states plus Norway and
A product that has been designed, constructed Iceland, which are required to meet the 4
and tested for use in a marine application. International Conventions developed by the
International Maritime Organisation IMO namely:
Manufacturer
The company that produces and/or assembles the • Load Lines 1966
final product, and takes the whole responsibility • SOLAS 1974 Life-savings Appliances
of the final product. • MARPOL 1973 Marine Pollution
• COLREGS 1972 Prevention of Collisions
Maritime Administration
An autonomous authority for the supervision of Under the procedures defined in the Med, once
the prime maritime services like safety and an approval has been obtained for the equipment

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referred to in the Directive by a single “Notified Surveyors of different classification societies request
Body”, this approval will be acceptable in all other different EN 10204 certificates from the manufacturers.
Member States. This is unfair and gives some companies a significant cost
advantage while discriminating others.
Recognition that the equipment fully complies
with the requirements of the MED will be MSC Maritime Safety Committee
denoted by a “Ships Steering Wheel”. A major committee within IMO.

MED Type Approval Mutual Recognition

All certificates issued by a Society/ Notified Body Result of an agreement between two or more
for products in compliance with the European bodies who consider that an approval or a
Directives 96/98/EC and subsequent amendments certification granted by one of them, under
are considered equivalent to type approvals and specific conditions, is applicable for the other(s).
production certificates.
National Flag
Member State(s) The flag carried by a ship to show her nationality.
While the European Union has its long awaited
mandate to negotiate on behalf of its Member Notified Body
States on air transport matters, the maritime An Organisation authorised by the competent
authority in Europe still lies with the Member National Administration of an European Community
States and their national maritime administrations. Member State to perform certification activities
on their behalf.
MEPC
Marine Environment Protection Committee, a Open Register
major committee within IMO. A term used in place of “Flag of Convenience” or
“Flag of Necessity”.
Remark: A register that is open to foreign shipowners.
The number of the meeting is often added to the acronym.
Performance Test
Mill (Material) Test Certificates EN 10204 A technical operation where a specific performance
formerly DIN 50049 characteristic is determined and recorded.
Documents issued by the manufacturing plant
P&I Protection & Indemnity
® Certificate of Compliance A P&I Club is a unique organisation in that it
EN 10204 2.1/DIN 50049 2.1 operates as a mixture of an insurance company,
a law firm and a loss adjuster. This means that a
® Test Report
P&I Club is able to assist a ship owner in dealing
EN 10204 2.1/DIN 50049 2.2
with every aspect of a casualty from finding
® Specific Test Report experts and contractors to deal with the
DIN 50049 2.3 immediate casualty through to legal advice and
paying claims.
Documents issued by experts of Recognised The P&I Club exists in order to help the ship
Organisations owner and pay his liability claims.
® Inspection Certificate
EN 10204 3.2/DIN 50049 3.1 A Periodic Surveys
Each classed vessel is subject to a specified
® Inspection Certificate
program of periodic surveys, an intermediate
EN 10204 3.1/DIN 50049 3.1 B
survey and a class renewal/special survey
® Inspection Certificate (held every 5 years). The rigor of each specified
EN 10204 3.2/DIN 50049 3.1 C survey increases with the age of the vessel.

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PSC Port State Control The RO is responsible and accountable to the Flag
The Inspection of foreign ships in national ports administration for the work that it carries out on
for the purpose of verifying that the condition of its behalf. The principles of the inspection and
a ship and its equipment comply with the survey work are the same as in respect of
requirements of international conventions and classification surveys, that is the verification by
that the vessel is manned and operated in the RO that the ship is in compliance with
compliance with applicable international law. applicable requirements at the time of the survey.
The scope of these inspections and surveys
On the basis of an EC Directive, all EU Coastal regarding safety and pollution are laid down by
States are obliged to inspect at least 25% of all the Flag administration in compliance with the
foreign sips calling to their ports. If a substantial relevant international conventions to which it
number of deficiencies is found, the ship will be is a signatory.The RO is responsible and
detained until the necessary repairs have been accountable to the Flag Administration for the
carried out. work that it carries out on its behalf.

Recognised Classification Societies Recommendation

The European Union recognises 13 European and Recommendation and Condition of Class are
non European Classification Societies: synonymous terms used by IACS societies for
requirements that specific measures, repairs,
• American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) request for survey, etc. are to be carried out by
• Bureau Veritas (BV) the owner within a specified time period in
• China Classification Society (CCS) order to retain class.
• Det Norske Veritas (DNV)
• Germanischer Lloyd (GL) Renewal of Type Approvals
• Hellenic Register of Shipping (HRS) Type approvals have to be renewed every 5 years.
• Korean Register of Shipping (KR) Regardless whether there were any modifications
• Lloyd’s Register (LR) or not to that submitted for the previous
• Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NK) approval, the certificates have to be renewed
• Polish Register of Shipping
every 5 years. This creates a reasonable repeat
• Registro Italiano Navale (RINA)
business for the classification society and is a cost
• Registro Internacional Naval (Rinave)
factor the manufacturer.
• Russian Maritime Register (RS)

Recognised Organisation RO Register

SOLAS and the other International Conventions
permit the Flag State Administration to delegate Regulation
the inspection and survey of ships to a Recognised The term “Regulation” is commonly linked to
Organisation. statutory equipment standards
IMO Resolution A 739(18) lays down minimum
standards for ROs. Fundamentally it requires the Rule
organisation to demonstrate its technical competence The term “Rule” is commonly linked to standards
and to be governed by the principals of ethical behaviour. of the classification societies.
The RO should be subject to the certification of
its quality system by an independent body of Scantlings
auditors accepted by the Administration. Dimensions of Ship’s structural members/
Together with IMO Resolution A.789(19), which components e.g. frame, beam girder etc.
presents specifications on the survey and
certification functions of ROs, these resolutions Self Inspection
provide the criteria and framework to which a Inspection delegated to the manufacturer,
flag must be satisfied that their RO’s meet. provided some conditions are fulfilled: in

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particular, works and quality system are approved, bodies or trade associations. The list below shows
and respective responsibilities are identified. the most common national and international
standards which classification societies assess
Self Regulation against:
Classification societies are somehow unique as • AS 9100
they are self issuing and self executing regulations • HACCP
and guidelines. • ISO/IEC 27001
• ISO/IEC 20000-1
Services • ISO 13485
Major services by classification societies are: • ISO 14001
• ISO 9001
• Approvals • ISO/TS 16949
• Certification • ISO/TS 29001
• Classification • ISO 22000
• Inspection • QS-9000
• Construction Survey • OHSAS 18001
• Consultancy • IRIS
• Design Appraisal
• Testing and Witnessing Statutory Work
• Marpol 73/78
Classification societies act as providers of services. • SOLAS
This can not be construed as an obligation bearing • ISM
on the society to obtain a result or as a warranty. • Load Lines; ICLL 66/68
Any delay or shortcomings in the performance of • TC 69
the society’s services arising from an event not • AFS-C
reasonably foreseeable by or beyond the control • ISSC ISPS code
of the society is deemed not to be a breach of
contract. STWC International Convention of Training,
Certificates and Watchkeeping of Seafarers.
SMC Safety Management Certificate Surveillance
(ISM Code) Certificates stating that the ship has a The process of monitoring a product, procedure
Safety Management System. or service to ensure it continues to conform with
the approved criteria.
SMS Safety Management System
Survey
SOLAS An activity carried out by a surveyor with free
The International Convention for the Safety of and random access to building facility at defined
Life at Sea (SOLAS) is the most important treaty or occasional intervals, consisting of one or more
protecting the safety of merchant ships. inspections and/or surveillance to verify the
compliance of a product, design, service, process
Specification or plant (including ships, or offshore installations
Technical data/particulars which determine the or parts thereof) with specific requirements.
design and/or manufacturing and testing
procedures and define the quality requirements Surveyor
A competent person – appointed by the Society –
Standards to perform surveys.
A standard is a guideline document that reflects
agreements on products, practices and operations Suspension of Class
by recognised government, industry or professional A ship loses her class temporarily

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Test There is a wide range of products for use in

A technical operation that consists of the marine and offshore applications and growing
determination of one or more characteristics or international awareness of the importance of
performance of a given product, material, third-party certification.
equipment, organism, physical phenomenon,
process or service according to a specific Unified Requirements (IACS)
procedure. UR Unified Requirements are adopted on matters
directly connected to or covered by specific
TOC Transfer of Class Rule requirements and practices of classification
It is possible to transfer a ship from one classifica- societies and the general philosophy on which
tion to another during the lifetime of a ship. the rules and practices of classification societies
Depending on the current class status of the ves- are established.
sel, various procedures exist to achieve a smooth Subject to ratification by the governing body of
transition to the new class. each Member Society and Associate. Unified
requirements shall be incorporated in the rules
TOCA Transfer of Class Agreement and practices of the Member Societies and the
The IACS Transfer of Class Agreement’s objective associates, within one year of approval by the
is to allow for traceability of ship’s class and to IACS Council.
prevent owners “class hopping”. It was reinforced The existence of a UR does not oblige a Member
by requiring the “gaining society” in a class Society or an Associate to issue respective Rules if
transfer to perform a special survey or it chooses not to have Rules for the type of ship
intermediate survey (whichever is due next) for or marine structure concerned.
ESP ships of 15 years and over.
TOCA requires the transfer of the ship’s Unified Requirements are minimum requirements.
classification survey history to the gaining society. Each Member and Associate remains free to set
more stringent requirements.
TOMS Transfer of Management Systems
US Coast Guard
Type Approval Recognised Organisations and Classification
The process at the end of which a Type Approval Societies
certificate is issued. The US Coast Guard’s requirements for the
It applies both to products for which the type recognition of an organisation or a classification
approval is required by rules, or to products, for society are more stringent than those of other
which the type approval is required by rules, or administrations.
to products, for which there are no specific
requirements on classification rules, but the type Among others the USCG criteria request the
approval certificate is requested by the following:
manufacturer on a voluntary basis.
• not to be under the financial control of ship
There are five stages to gain a type approval: owners or shipbuilders, or of others engaged
• review of the design data submitted by the commercially in the manufacture, equipping,
producer to establish that the design complies repair or operation of ships
with specific codes or specifications • not be financially dependent on a single
• witness tests on a representative sample commercial enterprise for its revenue
• production controls • not have any business interest, or share of
• issue of a type approval, valid for five years ownership of, any vessel in its classed fleet
• entry into the list of type approved products • not be involved in any activities which could
result in a conflict of interest

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Underwriter
A person or institution that insures a ship or its
cargo against damage or loss. An underwriter
assesses the level of risk and calculates the
premium to be paid.

Validation
The last step in the design process to verify the
effectiveness of the design to fulfil the established
purpose. Usually, this is made by re-check of
drawings and calculations and/or by prototype
extensive testing (even destructive tests, if
necessary) carried out by a person not having
been involved in the design performance
or in the normal routine inspection.

Withdrawal of Class
A ship loses her class permanently

Witness
To be present at the test and to be able to give
evidence about its out come.

Impressum:

© 2007 by J. R. Kuehmayer
Austrian Marine Equipment Manufacturers
c/o J. R. Kuehmayer · Marxergasse 27/8
A-1030 Vienna, AUSTRIA, Europe
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.amem.at

Grafic-Design, Production:
Peter Furian, Georg Michael Thellmann
www.furian.at

www.amem.at